Details

* For the safety of our animals, we now ship live fish exclusively via UPS Next Day Air. If your order contains this item, you will only see UPS Next Day Air as a shipping option during checkout *

Also known as Butterfly Hillstream Loaches, these extraordinary-looking fish feature a highly unique, hydrodynamic shape that has to be seen to be believed!

This is the Chinese Hillstream Loach, also known as the Butterfly Hillstream Loach, Hong Kong pleco, and Chinese sucker fish. Like the Reticulated Hillstream Loach, this is among the most unique-looking critters we have to offer. These fish come from the rapid-moving streams of Asia, and their flat, streamlined bodies are built to withstand those strong currents. This fish's beautiful shape is embellished with an intricate dappled pattern that resembles leopard spots.

We sell these fish in a school of 3 because they are known to do best in groups of 3 or more. These fish are shipped small, but will grow up to 2 to 2-1/2 inches in length. They need plenty of oxygen in the tank to survive, as well as colder temperatures (68° to 75° F). Warmer water has less oxygen in it, so this fish is not likely to survive in temperatures above 75°. In ideal conditions, they can live for 8-10 years. They should be kept in water with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH level.

These fish are peaceful and considered safe to keep with other fish, snails, shrimp, and live plants. They eat algae and other biological matter, as well as most types of fish food. They are primarily bottom-dwellers, but they also spend plenty of time scaling the aquarium walls for algae.

Additional notes: Relatively easy to care for as long as water parameters remain stable. These fish prefer a fast-moving, oxygen-rich environment like the streams they came from, and these conditions can be replicated in your aquarium by installing powerheads. They also prefer to live in tanks with live aquatic plants for cover (such as java moss, hairgrass, green cabomba, etc.).

All Aquatic Arts brand plants and animals come with a 100% live arrival guarantee, plus free email support directly from the owners!